fleischman



Jan. 31, 1956 Filed Oct. 25, 1952 J. 1. FLEISCHMAN 2,732,672 ROTARY STONE RAKING AND REMOVING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet l JI.] ZeZ SC767iZa7 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

J. l. FLEISCHMAN V ROTARY STONE RAKING AND REMOVING MACHINE Filed 06%,. 23, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR I l BY y 4 I I ATTORNEYS Jan. 31, 1956 J. l. FLEISCHMAN 2,732,672

ROTARY STONE RAKINC AND REMOVING MACHINE Filed Oct. 23, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 JI .Fleiscizrrzarz INVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 31, 1956 J. l. FLEISCHMAN Filed Oct. 23, 1952 ROTARY STONE RAKING AND REMOVING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 (11.?(9 iyckmrz, INVENTOR BY W.

ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 31, 1956 Filed Oct. 23. 1952.

J. l. FLEISCHMAN ROTARY STONE RAKING AND REMOVING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS United States Patent ROTARY STONE BAKING AND REMOVING MACHINE Joseph I. Fleischman, Marshfield, Wis. Application October 23, 1952, Serial No. 316,385 4 Claims. (Cl. 55-17) This invention relates to a stone raking and removing machine, which is so constructed and arranged that the machine may be rolled over .a field from which stones are to be removed, the machine having groups of curved teeth which rake the ground surface, lifting stones from the field and delivering the stones into a pivoted bin or container, forming a part of the machine, to be carried to a place of deposit by the machine.

An important object of the invention is to provide a machine of this character including a drum with means for pivoting the groups of curved teeth, so that the teeth will be moved to a position within the confines of the drum, to clear the forward edge of the receiving bin, during the cycle of rotation of the groups of teeth.

' Another object of the invention is to provide means for stripping the stones from the teeth, particularly when stones become wedged between adjacent teeth of the machine.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a main supporting frame and an auxiliary vertically adjustable pivoted drum frame with means for raising and lowering the drum frame to adjust the drum and teeth carried thereby with respect to the ground surface, and adapt the machine for accomplishing a particular work.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain noveldetails of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a stone raking machine, constructed in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 3--3 of Fig. l.

.Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional View taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2. v p I 5 is a side elevational view of the machine illustrating the stone receiving bin as elevated to its dumping position.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 7-'7 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a detail view illustrating the'means' for tensionin'g the operation of the rake teeth.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the machine corn prises the rectangular frame including side bars 5 con nected at the front ends thereof by means of the transverse end bar 6, the forward ends of the side bars extending. substantial distances beyond the transverse bar 6, where they converge and are welded to the draft bar 7 which in turn has its rear end welded to theend bar 6, at a point substantially intermediate the ends of the transverse end bar 6.

2,732,672 hatented Jan. 31, 1956 The rear ends of the sidebars 5 are welded to the upright track members 8 which track members are curved forwardly throughout the major portions of their lengths, wherethey connect with the ends of the rear inverted U- shaped upright frame section 9, the lower ends of the upright frame section 9 being welded to the side bars 5, at 10. This upright frame section 9 provides a rigid support for the upright track members 8, which track members 8 are further braced against inward movement, by means of the transverse bar 11.

The frame of the machine also includes side bars 12 which are disposedlongitudinally of the side bars 5 and arranged in parallel spaced relation with respect thereto, the forwardends ofthe sidebars 12 being curved upwardly at 13 and welded to the side bars 5 at the point where the forward diverging ends of the side bars 5 merge with the side bars 5 as shown by Fig. 1 of the drawings. v

Adjacent to the forward end of the frame of the machine is the inverted U-shaped frame section 14 which is constructed preferably of angle bar material for strength, with the lower ends of the inverted U-shaped frame section 14, welded to the side bars 5 and 12, providing an exceptionally rigid structure.

The wheels 15 on which the machine operates are mounted on the axles 16 that are secured to the lower ends of the arms of the upright frame section 9, as shown by Fig. 3 of the drawings.

As shown by Fig. 3 of the drawings, the hub of the wheel 15 at one side of the machine, is formed with the clutch element 17 which cooperates with the movable clutch element l8 that is splined on the hub 'of the sprocket wheel 19, the operation of the movable clutch element 18 being controlled by the clutch lever 20 which extends forwardly for easy access by the operator.

The power shaft of the machine is indicated by the reference character 21, and this power shaft is journaled in the bearings 22 mounted on the upper surface of the side bars 5, adjacent to the frame section 14, one end of the power shaft being supplied with the sprocket 23, over which the chain 24 operates, the chain 24 also operating over the sprocket wheel 19 so that rotary movement of the sprocket wheel 19, caused by the machine moving over the ground surface, will be transmitted tothe power shaft 21 for rotating the same.

Also secured to the power shaft 21, is the pinion 25 which is in mesh with the pinion 26 mounted on one end of the shaft 27 that is also mounted within a hearing which is secured to one of the side bars of the vertically movable frame, to be hereinafter more fully described,-

the bearing being indicated by the reference character 28.

The side bars of the vertically movable frame are indicated by the reference character 29 and have their forward ends formed with bearings 36 that are fitted around the power shaft 21 so that the rear end of the vertically movable frame may swing upwardly. The side bars of the vertically movable frame provide the support for the drum 31 which comprises end discs 32 and 33 which end discs are formedwith bearings in which the shaft 34 operates, the shaft 34 providing the support for the drum- 3'1. The end discs 32 and 33 are held in spaced relation with respect to each other, by means of the transversely disposed plates 35 that have inturned ends bolted to the discs 32 and 33.

Between adjacent transversely disposed plates 35, are grille sections 36, the bars 37 thereof providing strippers for the rake teeth or tines, which move therebetween.

Mounted in bearings disposed within the drum 31, are horizontally disposed shafts 38 which have their ends operating in bearings in the discs 32 and 33, as clearly shown by Fig. 3 of the drawings, the shafts 38 being disposed adjacent to the periphery of the drum.

One of the respective ends of each shaft 38 is formed into a crank 39 to which the rollers 40 are connected, the rollers operating in the cam groove 41 formed in the inner surface of the cam disc 42, the cam groove 41 being irregularly formed so that the timing of the rotation of the shafts 38 will be regulated to operate the teeth of the rake, to be hereinafter more fully described, to accomplish the purpose of the invention.

Associated with each shaft 38, and mounted in the bearings 43 that extend from the shafts 38, are the shafts 44 on which the teeth 45 are mounted.

The teeth 45 are arranged in pairs, which are formed preferably by bending a length of heavy malleable rod material to provide loops 46 that are looped around the shafts 44 the loops 46 being connected by elongated loops 47 that extend substantial distances beyond the shafts 44, where they are connected with coiled springs 48 that connect with the arms 49 extending from the shafts 38 in a direction opposite to the bearings 43. Thus it will be seen that due to this construction, although the teeth are mounted for pivotal movement on the shafts 44, the springs 48 normally bias the teeth 45 towards the shafts 38 which indirectly, provide the supports for the teeth 45. Thus it will be seen that due to this construction, the teeth 45 which are curved in the arcs of circles, throughout their lengths, are yieldably supported to prevent damage of the rake teeth should they meet with a stationary obstruction. However, it will also be noted that this mounting permits of movement of one set of teeth independently of the remaining sets of teeth.

The drum 31 is rotated through the medium of the sprocket wheel 50 that operates on the shaft 34, and receives motion from the sprocket 51, through the chain 52, which operates over the sprockets 50 and 51. The sprocket 51 is secured to the shaft 27 and is rotated by said shaft 27.

Pivotally connected with the rear ends of the bars 5 of the main frame, are bell crank levers 52 which have their upper ends 53 extended above the side bars 29 of the movable frame, where they are connected with the control rods 54 that in turn connect with the arms 55 extending from the shaft 56, to which the lever 57 is connected, the lever 57 operating adjacent to the arcuateshaped retainer 58 in which the usual latch pin of this type of lever operates to hold the rods 54 in their positions of adjustment.

Disposed intermediate the ends of the bell crank levers 52' and extending inwardly therefrom, are the'rollers 58' that move over the under surfaces of the bars 29 of the vertically movable frame. Thus it will be seen that when the control rods 54 are moved to operate the bell crank levers 52, the rollers 58 moving in contact with the under surfaces of the side bars 29, will move the vertically movable frame to adjust the operation of the drum 31, with respect to the ground surface so that the drum and teeth of the machine may be elevated out of contact with the ground surface when the machine is being moved from one field to another, or to a place where the stones collected are to be deposited. Extending inwardly from the lower arm of each bell crank lever, is a flange 59' that is adapted to move into contact with the adjustable bolts 60 regulating the downward movement of the drum and to adapt the machine for a particular condition of operation.

Coiled tension springs 61 have their upper ends anchored to the brackets 62 that are secured to the transverse bar 11, adjacent to the ends thereof, the lower ends of the coiled springs being secured to the free ends of the side bars of the vertically movable frame, at 63. These springs operate to tension the vertical movements of the drum and insure a smooth operation of the machine.

The reference character 64 indicates supporting bars for the container or receiving box of the machine, which bars have their forward ends pivotally connected to the inverted U-shaped frame section 14, by means of the bolts 65, the opposite ends of said supporting bars ex tending appreciable distances beyond the rear of the machine, where they have pivotal connection with the container or receiving box 66, at 66 or at a point adjacent to the forward upper edges of the container or receiving box.

Pivotally mounted at the forward lower corners of the container or receiving box, are the carriages 67, each of which embodies a plate formed with right angled flanges 68 extending from the rear edges thereof, which flanges are formed with openings to receive the pivot bolts 69.

Extending forwardly from each carriage, is a shaft 70, each shaft providing a mount for the wheel 71 which moves over the inner edge of the upright frame section 8. The wheels 72 which are mounted on the axles 73 operate at right angles with respect to the wheels 71, and move between the flanges of the channel bars of which the upright frame section 8 is formed, as clearly shown by Fig. 7 of the drawings. Thus it will be seen that as the container or receiving box of the machine swings upwardly to the limit of its upward movement, the container or receiving box will be grad ually moved forwardly.

Mounted on the main frame of the machine are the cylinders 74 in which the pistons 75 operate, the pistons 75 having pivotal connection with the supporting bar 64 at 64' or at points substantially intermediate the ends thereof. These cylinders are supplied with air from the conventional compressed air supply mechanism forming a part of the usual tractor, the compressed air being admitted to the lower ends of the cylinders, through the hoses 76 under the control of the operator of the machine.

The container or receiving box 66 includes the swinging closure 77, the upper end of the closure being pivotally mounted on the frame of the container or receiving box, while the lower end of the closure is free to swing away from the bottom of the container or receiving box. Pins 78 extend laterally from the ends of the swinging closure 77 and are engaged by the hooks 79 that are pivotally connected to the container or receiving box, at the ends thereof. The hooks 79 have pivotal connection with one of the respective legs of the bell crank lever 80, through the medium of the pin 81 and elongated opening 82 of the bell crank lever 80, so that the bell crank lever may swing in the arcs of circles to operate the hooks or latches 79 to release the swinging closure.

Connected with the opposite end of the bell crank lever is the control arm 82' which is pivotally connected with bell crank lever 83, at 83' one arm of the bell crank lever 83 being formed into the handle 84, while the opposite end of the bell crank lever 83 is formed into a hook 85 that is adapted to hook over the upper edge of the control arm 82, normally holding the control arm against movement to maintain the swinging closure inits closed position, under normal conditions.

With this construction, it will be seen that when it is desired to dump or empty the container or receiving box 66, all that is necessary is to elevate the container or receiving box to the position as shown by Fig. 5 of the drawings. The control arm 82' is now operated to release the swinging closure, whereupon the weight of the stones or rocks which have been collected and are contained in the receiving box, will force the swinging closure to its open position, allowing the stones or rocks to slide therefrom. It might be further stated that the container or receiving box is so constructed and arranged that when the container or receiving box' is in its lowermost position, the box will be tilted for- Wardly, but when the container or receiving box is ele' vated, the container or receiving box will be tilted slightly rearwardly to cause the stones and rocks to gravitate therefrom.

The reference character 86 indicates a connecting link between one of the upright track members 8, and the cam disc 42, the link being connected with the cam disc 42 at a point adjacent to the periphery thereof, so that when the drum is elevated, the cam disc is automatically rotated to change the relative position between the cam groove and the shafts on which the teeth of the machine are bolted, to the end that the timing of the teeth will be changed so that the teeth of the machine will clear the forward edge of the container or receiving box, should the drum rotate when the receiving box has been moved to its elevated position for transporting the contents of the machine to a place of deposit.

In operation, the machine is moved to the field which is to be raked to remove stones or rocks, and the drum is lowered to the desired position for operation.

As the machine is moved over the ground surface, the rotary drum will operate causing the curved teeth 45 to rake the ground surface, picking up stones or rocks, and carrying the stones or rocks to the rear of the machine, depositing the stones or rocks in the carrier which is in the form of a container or receiving box.

When the carrier has become filled, the operator admits air to the cylinders 74 which results in the carrier being elevated to the position as shown by Fig. 6 of the drawings.

With the carrier or container in this position, the lever 83 is operated to release the swinging closure, whereupon the stones collected and retained in the carrier will be released by gravity.

From the foregoing description and the drawings, it is believed that the operation and utility of applicants device will be obvious, and that further description of the machine is unnecessary.

While I have shown and described the device as designed for raking and removing stones, it is to be understood that it is contemplated to use the device for raking any type of article, such as cranberries, potatoes, rubbish or the like, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A machine of the class described, comprising a main frame, an auxiliary frame including an inverted U-shaped upright section, rising from said main frame, a vertically movable frame including vertically swinging parallel side bars mounted within said inverted U-shaped frame, a pick-up drum including a shaft rotatably mounted on said vertical swinging side bars, compression spring hangers connected between the shaft of said drum and U-shaped upright section of said auxiliary frame, yieldably supporting said drum, normally biasing said swinging side bars downwardly, and means for raising said vertically swinging side bars and drum.

2. A machine of the class described, comprising a main frame, a vertical auxiliary frame rising from said main frame, a pair of spaced parallel vertically swinging bars pivotally connected with said auxiliary frame, a pick-up drum and shaft mounted on said vertically swinging bars rising from said main frame, and spring members connected between said vertically swinging bars and stationary frame, yieldably supporting said vertically swinging bars and drum for vertical movement.

3. A machine of the class described, comprising a main frame, an auxiliary frame including an inverted U-shaped upright section, rising from said main frame, a vertically moving frame including vertically swinging parallel side bars, mounted within said inverted U-shaped frame, a pick-up drum including a shaft rotatably mounted on said vertical swinging side bars and having teeth extensible through openings in said drum adapted to pick up material as said drum rotates, compression spring hangers connected between the shaft of said drum and U-shaped upright section of said auxiliary frame, yieldably supporting said drum, normally biasing said swinging side bars downwardly, and means for raising said vertically swinging side bars and drum independently of said springs.

4. A machine of the class described, comprising a main frame, an auxiliary frame including an inverted U-shaped upright section, rising from said main frame, a vertically movable frame including vertically swinging parallel side bars mounted within said inverted U-shaped frame, a pick-up drum including a shaft rotatably mounted on said vertical swinging side bars, compression spring hangers connected between the shaft of said drum and U-shaped upright section of said auxiliary frame, yieldably supporting said drum, normally biasing said swinging side bars downwardly, means for raising said vertically swinging side bars and drum, and a vertically swinging receiving box mounted on said main frame in which material from said drum is deposited.

Tinsley May 9, 1933 Gordon et al. Aug. 6, 1946 

